Johnnie Walker provided Joe Randello from Australia with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity today, when he took the wheel of a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 car at Silverstone, after winning the Johnnie Walker ‘Drive of a Lifetime’ competition.Randello finished top of an intensive final selection event in the UK with Johnnie Walker and the Vodafone McLaren Mercedes team, to earn the reward of driving Lewis Hamilton’s 2008 championship-winning F1 car for three laps of the Silverstone National circuit, two weeks before the famous venue plays host to the 2010 British Grand Prix.
Thousands of entrants from 22 countries worldwide were eventually whittled down to a final 20, who participated in an amazing three-day experience in the UK. The final culminated with one contestant earning the ‘Drive of a Lifetime’ in a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes F1 car around the famous Silverstone circuit, home of the British Grand Prix.
Over the course of the three days, the participants were subjected to a variety of physical, mental and driving tests whilst being instructed and evaluated by McLaren.
On the first day at the team’s ground-breaking facility, the McLaren Technology Centre, entrants were subject to fitness testing and interviews with McLaren followed by a seat fitting in the F1 car and an exclusive tour around the facility. PalmerSport hosted the second day of the competition where driving ability was assessed over a wide range of race-prepared cars. On the final day of the competition, the entrants travelled to Silverstone for further instruction and assessment in single-seater race cars, before current F1 World Champion and Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Jenson Button and Mika Häkkinen, Johnnie Walker Responsible Drinking Ambassador and double F1 World Champion, announced the lucky winner.
Joe Randello from Australia, winner of Johnnie Walker’s Drive of a Lifetime competition, stated: “It is a tremendous honour for me to have had the opportunity to drive a Vodafone McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car. Driving an F1 car was the most amazing experience of my life and I am absolutely thrilled that throughout this competition I was able to demonstrate to the judges that I had the necessary control and ability to drive the car. On behalf of all the finalists I would like to thank Johnnie Walker for organising such an incredible experience for us all and allowing us to learn and progress under such expert tutelage. If Johnnie Walker run the same competition in the future, I would urge everyone to enter!”
Andrew Morley, Johnnie Walker Brand Manager for Australia, said: “Congratulations to Joe and to everyone who took part in this amazing three days. Their continual progress throughout the competition from their local market driving challenges to the real thing here at Silverstone perfectly epitomises the spirit of Keep Walking and Johnnie Walker’s aim to inspire people to personally progress.”
Having closely watched the participants on the final day, Vodafone McLaren Mercedes driver Jenson Button added: “Joe really stood out amongst the finalists, his composure behind the steering wheel and the ability to stay in control really highlighted his credentials and he truly earned the chance to drive the F1 car. I was really impressed with how well he did as driving an F1 car is not easy.”
Mika Häkkinen, the Johnnie Walker Responsible Drinking Ambassador and double F1 World Champion with McLaren, was also in attendance and noted: “Joe was really impressive, particularly in his ability to control a car and respond to direction from instructors. Driving an F1 car is extremely difficult and he did fantastically well. This concept of always staying in control is very important and also links back to the work that I and my colleagues at McLaren do promoting responsible drinking for Johnnie Walker, making sure that people stay in control and never drink and drive.”
